Redding & Forster Comp seater opinion

[dtucker]

99% of my seating bullets has always been with a Wilson seater die with the arbor press. I have used a couple times in the past the Redding competition seater die. I once was reading somewhere on a forum an in depth review of these 2 and can not remember where. If i remember right the Forester got the better review but cannot remember the details. I am thinking of condencing my reloading equiptment even more and getting a Harrels turret press and using these type dies. I am searching for your opinions on these 2 dies and is 1 really a better die than the other?

Thanks,
Dan

 

[jonbearman]

I think the forster is equal to anyone of them out there.

 

[BigDMT]

They're both nice. the redding is easier too see the markings on the seating depth adjustment. they both fully support the case before seating of the bullet begins so thats really nice.

I use the forster mostly just because they are usually less than half the price and basically the same quality. Forster lock rings are a lot nicer than redding lock rings for sure. the redding uses a hex head set screw against the die body threads making it hard to break free after being tightened and loosening to make changes. the forster ring clamps around the threads with a phillips head screw that threads from one side of the ring to the other so it is very easy to loosen and re-adjust.

For neck and full sizing dies i like redding better because they have a tougher decapping pin. the pins on the forster sizers are weak and can break after sizing a couple hundred cases in a row. but i just keep a bunch of extra pins on hand. they are easy to change out on either die.

if using an expander ball on the redding sizers, the ball gets really sticky really fast if your case necks aren't really clean.

 

[mander]

I also have been looking at these two dies and based on what I have read and discussed with re-loaders who have them it comes down to whether you like Redding or Forster better (eg chevy vs ford).

 

[kelbro]

I've used both. Both work well. If you are doing 223 or 308, I have grown to prefer the RCBS comp seaters.

 

[galt11]

For what its worth, I used to swear by Redding as they were local and made some great products. However after a few QC issues, I switched to using the Forster and have never looked back. The one advantage I found right away is the Forster seater doesn't leave the ring around the bullet tip like the Redding does sometimes.

Adam